Romantic Inspirations - Music Of Robert & Clara Schumann

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SCHUMANN Märchenbilder. 3 Romances. Widmung. Fantasy Pieces. Adagio and Allegro. C. SCHUMANN 3 Romances, op. 22 Kronberg Academy Masters PROFIL 10071 (57:40)

These young performers are all members of the Kronberg Academy Masters, a foundation established in connection with the Frankfurt University of Music and the Performing Arts that is dedicated to assisting young and talented artists pursuing performing careers by mentoring them with established musicians. The performers on this recital demonstrate the effectiveness and quality of the program.

Though the title of this disc is Romantic Inspirations: The music of Robert and Clara Schumann , we see that the lion’s share of the music belongs to Robert. This is not unusual, as most other compilations I have seen sort of short-shrift Clara as well. But her Three Romances for violin and piano were composed relatively late in Robert’s career, and were probably inspired by the family acquaintance of Joseph Joachim that was made at that time. The pieces are fully professional and quite entertaining, showing Clara to be no mean melodist herself—I wish there was more here, and there is certainly room for it.

Robert’s works are the standards usually given from his “late chamber music” year of 1849. Though he wrote them for specific instruments (op. 94: oboe, op. 73: clarinet, op. 70: horn, op. 113: viola), he was pragmatic enough to not be too doctrinaire about instrumentation, and all of these works have been played on alternative instruments. Only the viola-bred Märchenbilder retains its pristine scoring on this recording.

Those wanting the original intentions of the composer will have to look elsewhere, but that should not reflect poorly on these excellent performances. It is always exciting to me to hear young people perform Schumann. After all, he really never had a chance to grow old, was the consummate romantic, and it is fascinating to hear what his passion brings out in a young performer. These folks seem determined to let no stone go unturned as far as empathy for the romantic nature of these works is concerned, and though they do keep things within tasteful boundaries, they also are not afraid to give the Schumanns their full due in terms of fervency and strong emotion. The sound here can be a little boisterous for my taste, but adjusting it downward really helps. Good space around the players, and each is a master of his or her instrument. Recommended.

FANFARE: Steven E. Ritter


Product Description:


  • Catalog Number: PH10071


  • UPC: 881488100716


  • Label: Hänssler & Profil


  • Composer: Clara Wieck Schumann, Robert Schumann, Unspecified


  • Performer: Anna Naretto, Gabriel Schwabe, Nicolai Gerassimez, Peijun Xu, Soojin Han